they know to be appointed by God for delivering them from it neither can these come to clearness who know some positive duty commanded them in their stations which they deceitfully shift and shun not closing cheerfully with it or not willing to be led into it These are also in some respect condemned of their own heart as the former sort and in that case it is difficult to come to a distinct knowledge of their state 1 Joh. 3. 21. it is supposed there that a self-condemning heart maketh void a mans confidence proportionally before God I do not deny but that men may on good grounds plead an interest in Christ in the case of prevailing iniquity Psal 65. 3. Rom. 7. 23 25. but it is hard to be attained if at all attainable when the heart is dealing deceitfully and entertaining known guile in particular Therefore let people clear themselves of the particular which they know too well It is the thing which doth meet them marring their confidence and access in all their approaches unto God See Judg. 10. 10 13. The Idolatries of the people are cast up to them by the Lord and their suit rejected thereupon That which draweth away the heart first in the morning and last at night like an Oven heated at night and it burneth as a flaming fire in the Morning spoken of the wicked Hos 7. 6. And taketh up their thoughts often on their bed as it is said of some Psal 36. 4. That which doth lead away the heart in time of religious duty ordinarily and the remembrance of which hath power to enliven and quicken the Spirits more than the remembrance of God so as their heart is after the heart of some detestable thing Ezek. 11. 21. That which withstandeth men when they would lay hold on the Promise as God casteth up mens sins to them who were medling with his Covenant Psal 50. 16 17. That is the thing which doth marr the knowledge of a gracious state let it go and it will be more easie to reach the knowledge of an interest in Christ The third thing which hindreth the knowledge of an interest in Christ is a spirit of sloth and careless negligence in many They complain that they know not whether they be in Christ or not but as few take pains to be in him so few take pains to try if they be in him It is a work and business which cannot be done sleeping 2 Cor. 13. 5. The several words used there viz. examine prove know say that there is a labour in it diligence must be used to make our calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. it is a business above flesh and blood The holy anointing which teacheth all things must make us know the things Freely given us of God 1. Cor. 2. 12. Shall the Lord impart a business of so great concernment and not so much as be enquired after to do it for men Ezek. 36. 37. Be ashamed you who spend so much time in reading Romances in adorning your persons in hawking and hunting in consulting the Law concerning your outward state in the World and it may be in worse things than those Be ashamed that you spend so little time in the search of this whether you be an heir of Glory or not whether you be in the way that leadeth to Heaven or that which will land you in darkness for ever You who judge this below you and unworthy of your pains any part or minute of your time it is like in Gods account you have judged your selves unworthy of everlasting life so as you have no lot with Gods people in this matter The fourth thing that doth darken the knowledge of interest in Christ is men do not condescend upon what would satisfie them but complain that God will not shew unto them what he is about to do with them but cannot yet say they know what would satisfie concerning his purpose this is a sad thing Shall we think those are serious who have never as yet pitched on what would satisfie them nor are making earnest enquiry after what should satisfie If the Lord had left us in the dark in that matter we were less inexcusable but since the grounds of satisfaction and the true marks of interest in Christ are so clear and frequent in Scripture and so many things written that our joy may be full 1 Joh. 1. 4. and that those who believe may know that they have eternal life 1 Joh. 5. 13. and since he that believeth hath a Witness of it in himself 1 Joh. 5. 10. none can pretend excuse here We may not here insist to shew what may and should satisfie concerning our interest since we are to speak directly to it afterwards The fifth thing that helpeth much to keep men in the dark concerning their interest in Christ is they pitch upon some mutable grounds which are not so apposite proofs of the truths of an interest in Christ as of the comfortable state of a triumphing soul sailing before the wind and marks which I grant are precious in themselves and do make out an interest clearly where they are Yet they are such as without them an interest in Christ may be and be known also in a good measure We shall touch a few of them 1. Some think that all who have a true interest in him are above the prevailing power of every sin But this is contrary to that of Psal 65. 3. where we find that holy man laying just claim to pardon in the case of prevailing iniquity and that of Rom. 7. 23 24 25. where Paul thanketh God through Christ as freed from the condemnation of the. Law even whilst a law in his members leads him captive unto sin 2. Some think that all true Saints have constantly access unto God in prayer and sensible returns of Prayer at all times But this is contrary to the many sad exercises of God's people complaining often that they are not heard nor regarded of God Psal 13. 1. and 22. 1 2. 3. Some think that all who have any true interest in him have God witnessing the same unto them by a high operation of that witnessing spirit of his spoken of Romans 8. 16. whereof afterwards and so they still suspect their own interest in Christ because of the want of this But they do not remember that they must first believe and give credit to that record which God hath given to his Son that there is life enough in him for men 1 John 5. 10 11. and then look for the seal and witness of the spirit Eph. 1. 13. In whom after ye believed ye were sealed with the holy spirit of promise c. As long as people hold fast these principles and the like they can hardly come to the knowledge of their gracious state which God hath warranted people to prove and clear up to themselves otherways than by the aforesaid things The fifth thing to be premised is The removal of some mistakes whereunto
cases Psal 9. 6. Psal 42. 5. Psal 4. 2. 5. It is observable here that sometimes the man will halt and be silent to hear some indistinct whispering of a joyful sound glancing on the mind or some news in some broken word of Scripture which it may be the man scarcely knoweth to be Scripture or whether it is come from God or Satan to delude him yet this he hath resolved only to hear what God the Lord will speak as upon another occasion Psal 85. 8. 6. More distinct promises comes into the mans mind whereupon he assayeth to lay hold but is beaten off with objections as in another case the Psalmist is Psal 20. 3. 6. But thou art holy But I am a Worm Now it is about the dawning of the day with the man and Faith will stir as soon as the Lord imparteth the joyful sound Psal 89. 15. This is the substance of the Covenant which may be shortly summed up in these words Christ Jesns is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him We can speak no further of the mans exercise as a preparatory work for what followeth is more than preparatory Yet that the exercise may appear compleat and full we shall add here That after all these things the Lord it may be after many answers of divers sorts mightily conveyeth the sound of his Covenant to the heart and determineth the heart to close with it and God now draweth him so to Christ Joh. 6. 44. and so shapeth out the heart for him that the conception cannot miscarry for now the heart is so in breadth and length for him as that less cannot satisfie and more is not desired like that of Psal 73. 25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee or whom have I desired on earth besides thee The soul now resolveth to die if he command so yet at his door and facing to him-wards We have drawn this preparatory work to some length not tying any man to such a work so circumstantiate only we say the Lord dealeth so with some and where he so convinceth of sin corruption and self emptiness and maketh a man take salvation to heart as the one thing necessary and sets him on work in the use of the means which God hath appointed for relief I say such a work rarely shall be found to fail of a good issue and gracious result Object Hypocrites and reprobates have great stirrings of Conscience and deep convictions about sin setting them on work sometimes and I do suspect any preparatory work of the Law I ever had to be but such as they have Answ It will be heard to give sure essential differences between the preparatory work in those in whom afterwards Christ is formed and those legal stirrings which are sometimes in Reprobates If there were not some gracious result of these convictions and wakenings of conscience in the Lords people and other marks of which we shall speak afterwards it were hard to adventure upon any difference that is clear in these legal stirrings Yet for answer to the Objection I shall offer some things which rarely will be found in the stirring of reprobates and which are ordinarily found in that Law-work which hath a gracious issue 1. The convictions of hypocrites and reprobates are usually confined to some few very gross transgressions Saul grants no more but the persecuting of David 1 Sam. 26. 21. Judas grants only the betraying of innocent blood Mat. 27. 4. But usually these convictions by which the Lord prepareth his own way in the soul although they may begin at one or more gross particular transgressions yet they rest not there but the man is led on to see many breaches of the Law and innumerable evils compassing him as David speaketh in the sight of his sin Psal 40. 12. and withal that universal conviction if I may call it so is not general as usually we hear senseless men saying that in all things they sin But it is particular and condescending as Paul afterwards spake of himself he not only is the chief of sinners but particularly he was a blasphemer a persecuter 1 Tim. 1. 13. 2. The convictions which Hypocrites have do seldom reach thier Corruption and that body of death which breeds an averseness from what is good and strongly inclineth to what is evil Ordinarily where we find Hypocrites speaking of themselves in Scripture they speak loftily and with some self conceit both as to their freedom from corruption Joh. 9. 34. The Pharisees say to the poor man Thou wast altogether born in sins and dost thou teach us as if they themselves were not as corrupt by nature as he They speak of great sins as Hazael did 2 Kings 8. 13. Am I a Dog that I should do this great thing And also in their undertakings of duty as that man spake Mat. 8. 19. I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest See how the people do speak Jer. 42. 2. to 7. They undertake to do all that God will command them so that they still go about in any case to establish their own righteousness not submitting unto the righteousness of God But I may say that convictions and exercise about corruption and that body of death inclining to evil and disenabling for good is not the leasâ— part of the work where the Lord is preparing his own way They use to judge themselves very wretched because of a body of sin and are at their wits end how to be delivered as Paul speaketh when he is under the exercise of it afterwards Rom. 7. 19. 3. It will ordinarily be found that the convictions which are in hypocrites either are not so serious as that some other business will not putâ— them out of head before any satisfaction be gotten as in Cain who went and built a City and we hear no more oâ— his Convictions Gen. 4. Felix went away until a morâ— convenient time and we hear no more of his trembling Actâ— 24. 25. Or if that work become very serious then iâ— runneth to the other extremity and despair of relief leaving no room for any escape So we find Judas very serious in his Convictions yet he grew desperate and hanged himself Mat. 27. 4 5. But where the Lord prepareth his own way the work is both so serious as the person cannot be put off it until he find some satisfaction and yet under that very seriousness he lyeth open for relief both which are clear in the Gaolers words What shall I do to be saved Acts 16. 30. This serious enquiry after Relief is a very observable thing in the preparatory work which leadeth on to Christ yet we desire none to lay too much weight on these things since God hath allowed clearer differences between the precious and the vile Object I still fear I have not had so through a sight of my sin and misery as the Lord giveth to many whom he effectually calleth especially to great Transgressors such as I am Answ It is true
to approve themselves unto God in all well-pleaâ—â—ngs and reach some inward testimony of sincerity that â—ay they shall not assure their hearts before him The â—â—stimony of mens conscience is their rejoycing 2 Cor. 1. 2. By this we know that we know him if we keep 〈◊〉 Commandments 1 John 2. 3. 1 John 3. 20 21. No confidence if the heart condemn This is the New Creature having a principle of new spiritual life infused by God into the heart whereby it becometh new and puteth forth acts of new life throughout the whole man as we have said so as he pointeth towards the whole Law both the commands which forbid sin so he resolveth to set against secret sins not to lay a stumbling block before the blind Lev. 19. 14. little sins which are judged so by many the least things of the Law Matth. 5. 19. spiritual sins filthiness of the spirit â— Cor. 7. 1. sins of omission as well as commission since men are to be judged by these Mat. 25. 42 43 44 yea sins that are winded into his natural humor and constitution and so are as a right eye or hand to him Matth 5. 29. This new principle of life by the good hand of God maketh the man set against every known sin so far as not to allow peaceable abode 〈◊〉 any known darkness 2 Cor. 6. 14. As also he poinâ—eth towards those commands which relate to duty anâ— the quickening of grace in man It maketh a man respecâ— all known commands Psal 110. 6. to live godly righteously and soberly Tâ—t 2. 12. yea and to study a righâ— and sincere way and manner of doing things resolving not to give over the study of conformity to Gods Will whilst he lives on earth but still to bend forwardtoward the price of the high calling of God Phil. 3. 13 14. Thâ— is true holiness very becoming all those who pretend â— be heirs of that holy habitation in the immediate company and fellowship of a holy God 1 Joh. 3. 3. Some may think these things high attainments aâ— very hard to be attained to I grant it is true But firâ—â— Remember that there is a very large allowance in thâ— Covenant promised to his people which maketh thing more easie The Lord hath engaged to take away 〈◊〉 stong heart to give a heart of flesh a new heart a heaâ— to fear him for ever he hath engaged to put his law in mens heart to put his fear in their heart to make them keep that Law to put his Spirit within them to cause them to keep it He hath promised to satisfie the Priests with fatness that the souls of the people may be satiated with goodness and to keep and water them continually every moment Ezek 26. 29. Jer. 32. 39 49. and 31. 33. Ezek. 36. 27. Jer. 31. 14. and 31. 12. Isa 27. 3. and if he must be enquired to do all these things unto men he engageth to pour out the Spirit of grace and supplication on them and so to learn them how to seek these things and how to put him to it to do all for them Zech. 12. 10. Secondly for the satisfaction of the weaker I grant this new creature as we have circumscribed and inlarged it will not be found in all the degrees of it in every gracious person But it is well if 1. There be a new man we cannot grant less If any man be in Christ there must be a new creature and that is the new man Ephes 4. 21 22 23 24. which all must put on who are savingly taught of Christ There must be some renewing after the image of God in a mans soul and body There must be somewhat of every part of the man pointing towards God although I grant every one cannot prove this to others neither discern it in himself because many know not the distinct parts of the soul nor pieces of reformation competent to every part of soul and body Yet it will be found there is some such thing in them yea they have a witness of it within them if you make the thing plain and clear to them what it is 2. There must be such a respect unto Gods known Commands that a man doth not allow peaceably any known iniquity to dwell in him for what concord is between light and darkness 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16. Psal 119. and 66. 18. he must not regard iniquity I grant men may be ignorant of many commands and many sins and may imagine in some cases that some sins are not hateful unto God But supposing that they are instructed in these things there can be no agreement between righteousness and unrighteousness 3. Men must point towards all the Law of God in their honest resolutions for this is nothing else than to give up the heart unto God to put his Law in it without exception which is a part of the Covenant we are to make with God Heb. 8. 10. I grant many know not how to point towards Gods Law in all their wayes but if it be made manifest unto them how that should be done they will point at it And it is true they will many times fail of their resolutions in their practice yet when they have failed they can say They did resolve other-wayes and will yet honestly and without guile resolve to do other wayes and it will prove their affliction to have failed of their resolution when the Lord discovereth it to them which he will in due time 4. When we are to judge of our state by the new creature we must do it at a convenient time when we are in good case at least not when we are in worst case for the flesh and spirit do Lust and Fight against other Gal. 5. 17. and sometimes the one and sometimes the other doth prevail Now I say we must chuse a convenient time when the spiritual part is not by some tentation worsted and over-powred by the flesh for in that case the new creature is recoyled back in its streams and much returned to the fountain and the habits except in some small things not easily discernable whereby it maketh opposition to the flesh according to the foresaid Scripture for now it is time of winter in the soul and we may not expect fruit yea not leaves as in some other season only here lest profane Atheists should make advantage of this we will say That the Spirit doth often prevail over the flesh in a godly man and the scope aim tenour and drift of his way is in the Law of the Lord that is his walk Psal 119. 1. whereas the path-way and ordinary course of the wicked is sin as is oft-ten hinted in the book of the Proverbs of Solomon And if it happen that a godly man be over-mastered by any transgression ordinarily it is his sad exercise and we suppose he keeps it still in dependency before God to have it rectified as David speaketh Psal 56. 13. Wilt thou not deliver my feet
the Covenant and so are not worthy of him neither hath the Kingdom of God savingly entred into their heart Mat. 13. 44. Thirdly They never in earnest do close with Christs whole yoke without exception judging all his will just and good holy and spiritual as Rom. 7. 12. and therefore no rest allowed on them by Christ Mat. 11. 29. Therefore whosoever thou art who canst lay clear and just claim to these three foresaid things thou art beyond the reach of all atheists hypocrites and reprobates in the world as having answered the great ends and intents of Law and Gospel Object I am clear sometimes I think to lay claim to that mark of the new creature yet at other times sin doth so prevail over me that I am made to question all the work within me Answ It is much to be lamented that people professing his Name should be so slighted and enslaved by trangression as many are Yet in answer to the objection if it be seriously propounded we say the Saints are found in Scripture justly laying claim unto God and his Covenant when iniquity did prevail over them as we find Psal 65. 3. Iniquities prevail against me as for our trangressions thus wilt do them away Rom. 7. 25. Paul thanks God through Christ when a law in his members leads him captive unto sin But for the better understanding and safe application of such truths we must difference betwixt gross outbreakings and ordinary infirmities or sins that come unawares upon a man without fore-thought or any deliberation As for the former sort it is hard for a man whilest he is under the power of them to see his gracious change although it be in him and very hard to draw any comfort from it until the man be in some measure recovered and beginning seriously to resent such sins and to resolve against them We find David calling himself Gods servant quickly after his numbering of Gods people but he was then under the serious resentment of sin Sam. 24. 18. Jonah layeth claim to God as his Master under his rebellion but he is then repenting it and in a spirit of revenge against himself for his sin Jon 1. 9 10 12. Next as for these sins of infirmity and daily incursion and heart-ills such as these whereof Paul doth complain it is like were We shall draw out some things from that seventh Chapter to the Romans whereupon Paul maintains his interest in Christ and if you can apply them it is well 1. When Paul findeth that he doth much fail and cannot reach conformity to Gods Law he doth not blame the Law as being too â—rict so as men cannot keep it as Hypocrites use to speak but he doth blame himself as being carnal and he saith of the Law that it is Good Holy and Spiritual Rev. 7. 12 14. 2. He can say he failed of a good which he intended and did out-shoot himself and he had often honestly resolved against the evil which he fell into Rom. 7. 15 18 19. 3. He saith that the prevailing of sin over him is his exercise so as he judgeth himself wretched because of such a body of death from which he longeth to be delivered Rom 7. 24 4. He saith that whilst he is under the power and law of sin There is somewhat in the bottom of his heart opposing it although over-mastered by it which would be another way and when that gets the upper hand it is a delight some thing Rom. 7. 22 25. upon these things he thanks God in Christ that there is no condemnation Rom. 7. 25. Rom. 8. 1. Now then look if ye can lay claim to these things 1. If you do blame your self and approve the Law whilst you fail 2. If you can say that you do often resolve against sin honestly and without known guile and do so resolve the contrary good before the evil break in upon you 3. If you can say that you are so far exercised with your failings as to judge your self wretched because of such things and a body of death which is the Root and Fountain of such things 4. If you can say that there is a party within you opposing these evils which would be at the right way and as it were is in its Element when it is in Gods way it is well only be advised not to take rest until in some measure you be rid of the ground of this objection or at least until you can very clearly say you are waging war with these things Now a good help against the prevailing power of sin is to cleave close to Christ Jesus by Faith which as it is a desirable part of sanctification and a notable piece of Conâ—ormity to Gods will and most subservient unto his design in the Gospel Gal. 2 20 21. and so should be much endeavoured by people as a work pleasing to God Job 6. 29. So it is the ready way to draw life and sap from Christ the blessed root for fruitfulness in all cases as John 15. 4 5. Object I do not partake of these special communicatiâ—ns of God mentioned in the Scripture and actings and â—utgoing of his Spirit whereof gracious people often are speakâ—â—g and whereunto they attain the want of these things maketh me much suspect my state Answ I shall shortly hint some of these excellent comunications and I hope upon a right discovery of them â—here will be but small ground found for the jealous comâ—laints of many gracious people First besides these convictions of the Spirit of God which use to usher Christs way unto the Souls of men and these also which afterwards do ordinarily attend them â—â—ere is a Seal of the Spirit of God spoken of in Scripâ—â—re the principal thing whereof is the Sanctifying work â—f the Holy Ghost imprinting the draughts and lineaments 〈◊〉 Gods Image and revealed will upon a man as a seal◠〈◊〉 signet doth leave an impression and stamp of its likeâ—â—ss upon the thing sealed so it is 2 Tim. 2. 19. The â—â—undation of God having this seal The Lord knoweth them who are his And let every one that nameth the 〈◊〉 of Christ depart from iniquity And thus I conceive 〈◊〉 Seal to be called a Witness 1 John 5. 10. He that 〈◊〉 lieveth hath the witness in himself that is the grouâ—â— upon which an interest in Christ is to be made out aâ—proved are in every believer for he hath somewhâ—â— of the sanctifying work of Gods Spirit in him which 〈◊〉 a sure although not always a clear and manifest wâ—â—ness Secondly there is Communion with God much talâ—â—ed of among Christians whereby they understand thâ— sensible presence of God refreshing the soul exceedingly but if we speak properly communion with God is a mutual interest between God and Man who hath closeâ— with him in Christ It is a commonness or a commoâ— interest between God and a Man not only is a man interested in God himself but in all that is the Lords so the Lord hath
for clearing and confirmation 1. He had some desire to see Christ and such a desire as made him wave that which some would have judged prudence and discretion whilest he climbeth up upon a tree that he might see him 2. Christ spake to his heart and that word took such hold upon him that presently with joy he did accept of Christ's offer and closed with Christ as Lord whilest few of any note were following him 3. Upon this his heart did open to the poor although it seems he was a covetous man before 4. He had a due impression of his former wayes evidencing his respect to Moses his Law and this he did signifie before all the company then present not caring to shame himself in such things as probably were not known to the World 5. Upon all these things Christ confirmeth and ratifieth the bargain by his word recommending to him that oneness of interest which behoved to be between him and the Saints and the thoughts of his own lost condition if Christ had not come and sought him and found him All which are clear Luke 19. 3 10. We grant the Lord calleth some so and if any can lay claim to the special things we have now hinted they have a good confirmation of Gods dealing with them from that Scripture Neither are they to vex themselves because of the want of a distinct preparatory Law-work if their heart have yielded unto Christ For a Law work is not desirable except for this end Therefore Christ doth offer himself directly in the Scripture and people are invited to come to him and although many will not come to him who is the surety until the spirit of bondage distress them for their debt yet if any upon the knowledge of their lost estate would flee and yield to Christ none might warrantably press a Law-work upon them As for others whom Christ perswaded by a word to follow him whatsoever he did or howsoever he spake to them at his first meeting with them we must rationally suppose that then he discovered so much of their own necessity and his own fulness and excellency to them as made them quit all and run after him And if he do so to any we crave no more since there is room enough there for the Physitian So that from all this as some may be confirmed and strengthened with whom God hath so dealt So there is no ground nor occasion for deluded souls to flatter themselves in their condition who remain ignorant and senseless of their own miseries and Christs all-sufficiency and hold fast deceit Thirdly There are some brought in to Christ in a way yet more declarative of his free grace and this is when he effectually calleth men at the hour of death We find somewhat recorded of this way in that pregnant example of the Thief on the Cross Luk. 23. 39 41. Although this seems not very pertinent for the purpose in hand yet we shall speak a little of it that on the one hand men may be sparing to judge and pass Sentence upon either themselves or others before the last breath And we shall so circumstantiate it that on the other hand none may dare to delay so great a business to the last hour of their life We find these things remarkable in that business between Christ and the Thief 1. The man falleth at odds with his former Companion 2. He dareth not speak a wrong word of God whose hand is on him but justifieth him in all that is befallen him 3. He now seeth Jesus Christ persecuted by the World without a cause and most injuriously 4. He discovereth Christ to be a Lord and a King whilst enemies seem to have him under 5. He believeth a being of glory after death so really that he preferreth a portion of it to the present safety of his bodily life which he knew Christ was able to grant to him at that time and he might have chosen that with the other Thief 6. Although he was much abased in himself and humbled that he pleaded but that Christ would remember him yet he was nobly daring to throw himself upon the Covenant on life and death and he had so much faith of Christs all-sufficiency that he judged a simple remembrance from Christ would satisfyingly do his business 7. He acquiesced sweetly in the word which Christ spake to him for the ground of his comfort All which are very clear in the case of that poor dying man and do prove a very real work of God upon his heart As this example may encourage some to wait for good from God who cannot as yet lay clear claim to any gracious work of his Spirit So we beseech all as they love their souls not to delay their soul-businesses hoping for such a cast of Christs hand in the end as too many do This being a rare miracle of mercy with the glory whereof Christ did honourably triumph over the ignominy of his cross a parallel of which we shall hardly find in all the Scripture beside yea as there be but few at all saved Mat. 20. 16. and most few saved this way So the Lord hath peremptorily threatned to laugh at the calamity and not to hear the cry of such as mocked formerly at his reproof and would not hear when he called to them Prov. 1. 24 26. which Scripture although it doth not shut mercies door upon any who at the hour of death do sincerely judge themselves and flee unto Christ as this penitent Thief did Yet it is certain it implyeth that very few who fit the offer until then are honoured with repentance as he was and so their cry as not being sincere and of the right stamp shall not be heard The fourth and most ordinary way by which many are brought in to Christ is by a clear and discernable work of the law and humiliation which we ordinarily call the spirit of bondage as was hinted before We do not mean that every one whose conscience is awakened with sin and fear of wrath doth really close with Christ the contrary doth appear in Gain Saul Judas c. But that wherein there is a conviction of sin awakening of conscience and work of humiliation which as we shall circumstantiate it doth rarely miscarry or fail of a gracious issue but ordinarily doth resolve into the spirit of adoption and a gracious work of Gods Spirit and because the Lord dealeth with many sinners this way and we find that many are much puzled about the giving judgment of this Law-work This work is either more violent and sudden or it is more sober and longer protracted through a great length of time and so as the steps of it are very discernable It is more violent in some as in the Jaylor Paul and some other converts in the book of the Acts of the Apostles on whom Christ did break in at an instant and fell on them as with Fire and Sword and led them captive terribly And because
fear of God put into it whereby the mans duty becometh in a manner native and kindly to the man Jer. 32. 39 40. Ezek. 36. 26. It was before a heart of stone void of the fear of God The affections are renewed now The love is renewed in some good measure it goeth out after God I will love the Lord Psal 18. 1. after his Law O how I love thy Law Psal 119. 97. after those who have Gods Image in them John 13. 35. 1 Joh. 3. 14. This love to Gods people is upon a pure account as they are the children of God and do keep his Statutes 1 Pet. 1. 22. It is with a pure heart Psal 119. 63. and therefore it goeth towards all such whom the man knoweth or apprehendeth to be such Psal 119. 63. I am a Companion to alâ— them c. In all cases and conditions even where there is nothing to beautify or commend but the Image of God And this love is so fervent many times 1 Pet. 1. 22. thaâ— it putteth it self out in all relations so as a man seeketh a Godly Wife a Godly Master a Godly Servant a Godly Counsellor if he have to choose upon Psal 101. 6. and it is not quenched by many waters Cant. 8. 7. many imperfections and infirmities difference in opinion wrong received will not altogether quench love Also it is communicative of good according to its measure and as the case of the poor godly requireth Psal 16. 2. 1 John 3. 17 18. 19. The mans hatred is also renewed and is now bent against sin Psal 119. 113. I hate vain thoughts against Gods enemies as such Psal 139. 21 22. Do not I hate them that hate thee c. The joy or delight is renewed for it runneth towards God Psal 73. 25. Whom have I in Heaven c. towards his Law and Will Psal 1. 2. His delight is in the Law of the Lord. And towards the Godly and their followship Psal 16. 3. In whom is all my delight The sorrow is turned against sin which hath wronged Christ Zech. 12. 10. Looking on him whom they have pierced they mourn 2 Cor. 7. 11. The sorrow is godly there and against what incroacheth upon Gods honour they are sorrowful for the assemblies and the reproach of that is their burden Zeph. 3. 18. There is some renovation in all the affections as in every other part of the soul pointing now towards God 3. The very outward members of the man are renewed as the Scriptures speak the tongue the eye the ear the hand the foot c. so that those members which once were improved as weapons of unrighteousness unto sin are now improved as weapons of righteousness unto holiness Rom. 6. 19. Secondly A man who is in Christ is renewed in some measure in all his ways Behold all things are new 2 Cor. 5. 17. The man becomes new 1. In the way of his interest He was upon any good before though but apparent and at best but external Psal 4. 6. But now his interest and business is how to be found in Christ in that day Phil. 3. 9. or how to be forth-coming to him and walk before him in the land of the living Psal 56. 13. which he would choose among all the mercies that â—ill this earth Psal 119. 64. The interest of Christ also becomâ— eth the mans interest as appeareth in the song of Hannah 1 Sam. 2. And in the song of Mary Luke 1. â— is strange to see people newly converted and having reached unto the beginnings of knowledge concern anâ— interest themselves in the publick matters of Christâ— Kingdom so desirous to have him riding prosperouslyâ— and subduing the people under him 2. The man that iâ— in Christ is renewed in the way of his worship He waâ— wont to serve God in the oldness of the letter for the fashion answering the letter of the command in the outside of duty which one in whom the Old man hath absolute dominion can do But now he worshippeth God in thâ—â— newness of the Spirit Rom. 7. 6. In a new way wherein he is helped by the Spirit of God Rom 8. 26. beyond the reach of flesh and blood He serveth now the true and living God 1 Thess 1. 9. in Spirit and in truth John 4. 24. having spiritual apprehensions of God and engaged in his very soul in that work doing and saying truly and not feignedly when he worshippeth still desiring to approach unto him as a living God who heareth and seeth him and can accept his service Psal 42. 1 2. I grant he fails of this many times yet I may say such worship he intendeth and sometimes overtaketh and doth not much reckon worship which is not so performed unto God and the iniquity of his holy things is not the least part of his burthen and exercise Such a worship natural men are strargers unto whilst they babble out of their vain-glorious boastings Luke 18. 11 12. to an unknown God Acts 17. 23. 3. The man that is in Christ is renewed in the way of hit outward calling and imployment in the world he now resolveth to be about it because God hath commanded so Rom. 12. 11. and to eye God in it as his last end doing it to his glory 1 Cor. 10. 31. and studieth to keep some intercourse with God in the exercise of his outward employments as Jacob doth in his latter Will Gen. 49. 18. and Nehemiah did Nehem. 2. 4. So as the man resolveth to walk with God and set him alwayes before him Psal 16. 8. wherein I deny not he faileth often 4. He becometh new in the way of his relations he becometh a more dutiful Husband Father Brother Master Servant Neighbour c. Herein doth he exercise himself to keep a conscience void of offence towards men as well as towards God Acts 24. 16. 1 Cor. 22. Becoming all things to all men 5. He becometh now in the way of his lawfull liberties he studieth to make use of meat drink sleep recreation apparel with an eye to God labouring not to come under the power of any lawful thing 1 Cor. 6. 12 13. Nor to give offence to others in the use of these things Rom. 14. 20 21. 15. 2. nor using liberty as an occasion to the flesh Gal. 5. 13. Yea he laboureth to use all these things is a stranger on earth so as his moderations may appear Phil. 4. 5. And some way he doth eye God as the last end in these things 1 Cor. 10 31. doing all to the glory of God So as we may say of that man old things are much past away all things are in some measure become â—ew 2 Cor. 5. 15. He that is so new a creature is â—ndoubtedly in Christ This renovation of a man in all manner of conversaâ—ion and this being under law to God in all things is â—â—at holiness without which none shall see God Heb. 12. â—â— Men may fancy things to themselves but unless they â—â—â—dy